Morocco name final WAFCON squad as Atlas Lionesses chase historic first African title

Morocco have announced their final 26-player squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with head coach Jorge Vilda retaining the experienced core of the Atlas Lionesses as they bid to win a maiden continental title on home soil.

The Spanish coach unveiled his squad during a press conference at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé on Friday, confirming the players who will represent the hosts at the tournament, which runs from July 26 to August 16.

The squad consists of three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and nine forwards, with captain Ghizlane Chebbak leading a group that also includes experienced campaigners Khadija Er-Rmichi, Nouhaila Benzina, Yasmin-Katie Mrabet, Ibtissam Jraidi and Sakina Ouzraoui.

Experienced squad targets first continental crown

Morocco will head into the competition determined to end a run of near misses after finishing runners-up in each of the last two editions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The Atlas Lionesses lost to South Africa in the 2022 final before falling to Nigeria in the 2024 decider, leaving them still in search of their first continental title.

With home support once again behind them, Vilda’s side will be hoping to finally turn those impressive runs into a historic triumph.

Kenya first up for Atlas Lionesses

Morocco will open their WAFCON campaign against Kenya on July 26 before facing Algeria and Senegal in their remaining Group A fixtures.

Hosting the competition for the third time, the North Africans will be aiming to make home advantage count as Africa’s leading women’s national teams battle for continental supremacy.

Morocco’s WAFCON 2026 squad

Goalkeepers: Khadija Er-Rmichi, Ines Arouaissa, Fatima-Zahra El Jebraoui.

Defenders: Hanane Ait El Haj, Zineb Redouani, Aziza Rabbah, Siham Boukhami, Rania Boutiebi, Nouhaila Benzina, Maryame Atiq, Nesryne El Chad.

Midfielders: Soumia Hady, Ghizlane Chebbak, Najat Badri, Hajar Said, Yasmin-Katie Mrabet, Elodie Nahla Nakkach.

Forwards: Kenza Chapelle, Imane Saoud, Kautar Azraf, Jade Nassi, Fatima Tagnaout, Sakina Ouzraoui, Chaimaa Mourtaji, Ibtissam Jraidi, Sanaa Mssoudy.